PM Abbasi, Nawaz and Shehbaz meeting in Murree August 2, 2017. Photo: Geo News

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi could continue as the premier till next year?s general elections, according to sources.

Some senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have advised against removing Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif from his slot and elevating him as prime minister.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is expected to go to Lahore on Sunday via the motorway or GT Road.

Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, however, said it is all but certain that Shehbaz will become the prime minister after the necessary procedures are undertaken. Asif added that Nawaz is still reviewing the situation and another outcome is possible.

Prime Minister Abbasi on Wednesday said they want to convey to the world that prime minister of the country can change, but policies remain the same.

Abbasi was speaking to journalists after attending a consultative meeting chaired by Nawaz in the picturesque hill station of Murree.

Responding to journalists' queries about the new cabinet, he said consultations were ongoing and would continue over the next few days after which the cabinet would be sworn in.

The new cabinet was initially supposed to be sworn in on Wednesday, but the oath-taking was postponed in the afternoon.